Quest Diagnostics Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend

On November 18, 2020 Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, reported that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.56 per share, payable on February 3, 2021 to shareholders of record of Quest Diagnostics common stock on January 20, 2021 (Press release, Quest Diagnostics, NOV 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234571336]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

QIAGEN Collaborates with BioNTech on Companion Diagnostics Development for HPV-associated Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

On November 18, 2020 QIAGEN N.V. (NYSE: QGEN; Frankfurt Prime Standard: QIA) reported a strategic collaboration with BioNTech SE (Nasdaq: BNTX) to develop and commercialize a tissue-based companion diagnostic – to be used with investigational cancer treatment BNT113 – which identifies patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) that are caused by specific infections by human papilloma virus (HPV) (Press release, Qiagen, NOV 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234571362]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The assay will detect the presence of HPV genotypes and will be developed on QIAGEN´s RGQ MDx platform, a member of the QIAsymphony family of products.

QIAGEN plans to expand the panel for use across HPV-driven cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers, in order to provide a universal HPV companion diagnostic (CDx) for QIAGEN’s pharmaceutical partners.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer. Every year, there are more than 650,000 cases leading to 330,000 deaths, according to a 2018 global cancer study. These numbers are expected to double by 2035, according to the World Health Organization. The incidence of HPV-related SCCHN has significantly increased in recent years.

QIAGEN established the global HPV testing market over two decades ago. More than 100 million women have been tested for HPV infections using QIAGEN´s portfolio of HPV products, including hybrid capture, genotyping, and methylation tests.

AUM Biosciences and Newsoara Biopharma Announce a 5-year Transformational Strategic Partnership to Co-develop and Co-discover Next-generation Cancer Therapeutics

On November 18, 2020 AUM Biosciences (AUM), a global, clinical stage healthcare company focused on discovering, acquiring and developing novel oncology therapeutics and Newsoara Biopharma reported that the companies have entered into a 5-year strategic partnership to co-develop up to 6 oncology drugs in AUM’s pipeline (Press release, AUM BioSciences, NOV 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234571396]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The partnership combines AUM’s world-class discovery and clinical development capabilities with Newsoara’s strong discovery, development, and manufacturing capabilities in China.

Under the terms of the Agreement, AUM will receive an undisclosed collaboration fee upon closing. AUM will license exclusive greater China rights of AUM001, AUM302 and AUM003 upon closing of this Agreement, and up to a further 3 candidates for a maximum of 6 oncology drugs.

AUM will receive up to $135 Million in near term development, regulatory, commercial milestones and up to double-digit royalty payments. Newsoara will be responsible for all development and commercialisation and will contribute for potential R&D funding for current and future investigational compounds in greater China.

AUM and Newsoara will co-discover and co-fund first-in-class therapeutics for mutually agreed novel targets. AUM retains worldwide rights ex-greater China and Newsoara retains greater China rights for these newly discovered compounds.

Newsoara’s CEO, Benny Li will join AUM’s Board of Directors.

"Newsoara is an ideal partner for AUM with its focus to provide novel and differentiated therapies for unmet medical needs in China ," said Vishal Doshi, CEO, AUM Biosciences. "This collaboration is foundational for AUM and will allow us to act as one team to maximize the clinical and commercial potential of AUM’s molecules, greatly amplifying and expediting the opportunities in our pipeline. This partnership accelerates AUM’s path to becoming an independent, fully integrated biopharmaceutical company."

AUM is building a diverse portfolio of small molecule therapeutics that target critical biological pathways. A core component of AUM’s strategy is mandating biomarkers and leveraging AI to systematically discover and develop targeted cancer therapies. Additionally, AUM has a strong focus on the development of intra-portfolio combinations that include small molecules. Through its "Asia to Global" Strategy, including this partnership, AUM will expedite drug development to meet unmet medical needs for patients globally.

"We are very pleased to build on Newsoara’s growing presence in China with this important new strategic collaboration with AUM," said Benny Li, CEO, Newsoara Biopharma. "Newsoara is committed to developing first-in-class programs for patients and our agreement with AUM further demonstrates that commitment. By gaining access to each other’s diverse pipeline and AUM’s clear strengths and world-class experts in discovery and development, we believe that our partnership with AUM will significantly accelerate our progress in developing next generation therapies for patients."

Oblique Therapeutics AB, raises 98 MSEK in a private placement investment round.

On November 18, 2020 Oblique Therapeutics AB, a privately held Swedish biotech company, reported that it has received 98 MSEK from new investors and shareholders including several Swedish institutional investors and European venture capital investment firm Sunstone Life Science Ventures after a successful fundraising campaign led by Västra Hamnen Corporate Finance AB (Press release, Oblique Therapeutics, NOV 18, 2020, https://obliquet.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Oblique-Therapeutics-AB-raises-98-MSEK-in-a-private-placement-investment-round.pdf [SID1234571337]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

The financing will enable Oblique Therapeutics AB to further accelerate its antibody pipeline and global expansion.

"This fundraising will allow us to reinforce our position as a global industry leader focused on transformative antibody medicines against pain and aggressive cancer. We are extremely pleased with the positive capital market response, and look with forward to an exciting year in 2021 which could provide Oblique Therapeutics with additional industry validation through a strong interest from global Big Pharma. We are convinced that our rapid pipeline progression, with block buster potential in all current projects, will be highly value creating and welcome all new shareholders to the company." Prof. Owe Orwar, CEO Oblique Therapeutics..

About Abiprot TM
Oblique Therapeutics AB has developed AbiprotTM, a proprietary methodology to identify epitopes on protein targets that have previously proven difficult to address with antibodies. AbiprotTM can identify high-affinity antibody binding sites in any given protein with single amino acid resolution while the protein resides in its native environment. It is based on using a tailored molecular reporter system and proteomics. The platform yields detailed sequence and structure information for epitope identification and development. Oblique Therapeutics is applying this technology for discovery of selective antibody therapeutics targeting, for example, KRAS for the treatment of cancers and several ion channel targets to treat pain.

Arcus Biosciences to Participate in the Evercore ISI 3rd Annual HealthCONx Virtual Conference

On November 18, 2020 Arcus Biosciences, Inc. (NYSE:RCUS), an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company working to create best-in-class cancer therapies, reported that management will present at the Evercore ISI 3rd Annual HealthCONx Virtual Conference on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time (Press release, Arcus Biosciences, NOV 18, 2020, View Source [SID1234571363]).

Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:

Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing

                  Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available by visiting the "Investors" section of the Arcus website at www.arcusbio.com. A replay of the webcast will be available for at least two weeks following the live event.